Swimming shoe



SWIMMING SHOE Filed Feb. 6, 1928 Inventor v I fluyustu Fina/:98, 351M; VI

v Alfomey Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

UNITED s'rA-TEsf PATENT 0m 1.

AUGUSTUS s. unions, or snort-Linn,"wesiimorroiv, assrenoitior onnrnnrn'ro rraavn n. rnrrrs AND ELMER J. nnwnnns, BOTH or SPOKANE,WASHINGTON, AND rrvn-rnnrns TO CHARLES rrsrena, TRUSTEE.

SWIMMING SHOE.

Application filed February 6, 192 8. SerialNo 252,082.

My present invention relates to an im proved swlmmlng shoe adapted to beworn by the swimmer for the purpose of lncreasmg the effect and powerapplied by the leg stroke of the swimmer and thereby increase the speedof the swimmer. In carrying out my invention I utilize a shoe thatemaybe of" oanvas or other suitable material and which is provided withusual lacing or fastening devices, and the sole of the shoe is fashionedwith surrounding extensions at front, rear and sides. These extensionsform a normally flat web of flexible material rubber that is designed tofold or bend along the longitudinal center line of the foot as the legand foot are moved forward on the swimming stroke, and to return to fiatposition and remain extended during the backward movement or 'kick'ofthe swimming stroke for the purpose of increasing the propulsive effectof the stroke. I

The web is provided with resilient reinforcing members that facilitatethe movement and actions of the web and these elements are sodistributed throughout the web as to secure the most effective serviceof the web duringthe swimming stroke.

My invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements ofparts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example ofthe physical embodiment of my invention in which the parts are combinedand arranged according to the best mode I have so far devised for thepractical application of the principles of my invention. V

Figure 1 is a. plan view of a shoe and web according to my invention andshown in working position.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation showing the web out along thelongitudinal line 2-2 of Fig. 1. p

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view at line 33 of Fig. 1andshowing by dotted lines the flexed position of the web.

. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view as at the upper edge inFig. 1 and along the dotted line 83.

In carrying out my invention I utillze a conventional swimmingshoe as 1that may be of leather or other suitable material and provided with alace or other fastening device as 2.

The sole of the shoe is extended in all directions from the shoe to forma web 3 and this web is preferably of rubber. As shown, the web extendsin front of the toe and back of the heel as well as at both sides of theshoe. Theweb is of approximate elliptical form and along its two sidesare provided a pair of wires 4, 4 that extend around adjacent to theedge of the web] but terminate at their ends at the front and rear endsof the web and at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the shoeand web. The wires are embedded within the web and the latter isprovided with -ment permits the web to be folded along its center linewhen the leg is being drawn forward, and the web of course is extendedfiat when the leg is being kicked backwardly for the pushing stroke ofthe swimmer. The

web may be reinforced with a suitable numberof radially extendingresilient blades 7 and these blades extend from near the longitudinalblades 6 out to the wire edge memhere 4. 4

As thus constructed it will be apparent that the swimming shoes of mydevice when worn by the swimmer will enable him to secure an enhancingpropulsive effect from his swimming stroke over that secured without theuse of these swimming shoes.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A swimming shoe having a web extending therefrom, a pair oflongitudinally exlongitudinal center of the shoe, wire reinforc; 1

ing elements along the side edges of the Web, the Web to permit the Webto flex along its and radially extending resilient blades belongitudinalcenter, and Wire reinforcing tween the longitudinally extending bladeselements along the side edges of the Web 1 and said Wire strips. havingtheir ends connected to an adjoining 2. A swimming shoe having a Webextendresilient blade. ing therefrom, a pair of longitudinally ex Intestimony whereof I affix my signature.

tending spaced resilient blades embedded in I I AUGUSTUS F; FIBIGER.

